Rubens Barrichello could change his gearbox

The Brawn GP team will decide tomorrow whether or not to replace the gearbox of Rubens Barrichello’s car, after admitting that it might not last the entire race: « We’ll look at all the information and decide, but not immediately, » said Ross Brawn after the qualifying.

« Now that we have the fuel loads, we are going to run all possible simulations and see how the race might unfold, and then we will make a decision. We can’t do anything else but simulations and calculations at the moment, » he adds, referring to the Parc Fermé rule.

« On one hand, there is a risk of reliability, and on the other hand, Rubens’ very good qualification with a heavy fuel load, so we are only considering it for the moment. »

If the team decides to change it, Barrichello will drop 5 places on the starting grid. Barrichello’s gearbox, currently in its second of the four races allowed by the regulations, was slightly damaged during the race in Belgium when his engine began to spit oil and created small fires.

The Brazilian, who is very happy with his fifth place, obviously hopes it will not be replaced: « I told you that I thought I had a very good spot on the grid for the start. Being fifth on the grid with probably the heaviest fuel load, I can’t confirm that, but I have high hopes that it is indeed the case. » [Editor’s note: At the time of these statements, fuel quantities had not yet been communicated. We know now that this is indeed the case.]

« That was a hell of a lap, I’m very happy with my qualifying time. There was a conversation with the team about my gearbox and the incident that happened in the last race, and I don’t regret not changing it. I don’t want to lead the race and have a breakdown, but at the same time, I have to fight for what I can really achieve, which is winning tomorrow. I want to make the decision, tomorrow, with the whole team. »